But Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a boost with both Phil Jones and Jonny Evans taking part in training on Tuesday. The duo were both taken off during Sunday's 2-0 victory over Everton, with Jones having suffered what Sir Alex Ferguson described as a "kick on the calf" and Evans having "a bit of cramp".

Ferguson said both players would be monitored ahead of the trip the Bernabeu, but it would appear they will be available after coming through training on Tuesday. Scholes and Ashley Young also played a full part in the session, which took place in Manchester, but the former was deemed unfit to travel.

Veteran midfielder Scholes, 38, who was unlikely to start at the Bernabeu, has been struggling with a knee injury picked up during the 4-1 FA Cup victory against Fulham but Young has recovered from injury sufficiently to travel.

Meanwhile, Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso trained on Tuesday and it is expected that he will be available for the visit of United.

Alonso has been suffering with a pelvic problem that kept him out of Spain's friendly victory over Uruguay and Madrid's 4-1 win against Sevilla, and he was forced out of Monday's training session early. However, Marca reports that he will play through the pain for the first leg.